ESTIMATES OF ATMOSPHERIC METHANE FLUXES FROM GAS DEPOSITS IN THE NORTH OF WESTERN SIBERIA WITH A THREE-DIMENSIONAL REGIONAL TRANSPORT MODEL

S. V. Yagovkina, I. L. Karol, V. A. Zubov, V. E. Lagun, A. I. Reshetnikov, and E. V. Rozanov

A three-dimensional regional tropospheric pollution transport model with high spatial resolution was developed and used to calculate methane concentrations and estimate its emissions from the world's largest methane deposits and vast wetlands of Western Siberia. The measurements (airborne) of the tropospheric methane concentration over the region in July 1993 and of surface concentration during special expeditions (July—August 1999, March—May 2000, and August—September 2000) were used for model validation and evaluation of methane emissions. Based on the comparison of these data with the model, methane fluxes of both natural and anthropogenic origin were estimated. The calculations were carried out from wind and temperature data taking into account their diurnal variations. The estimates of methane fluxes from gas deposits and surrounding areas were compared with the known estimates of methane fluxes in other polar regions.